Laser Radiation Pressure Slowing of a Molecular Beam

We demonstrate deceleration of a beam of neutral strontium monofluoride molecules using radiative forces. Under certain conditions, the deceleration results in a substantial flux of detected molecules with velocities <= 50 m/s. Simulations and other data indicate that the detection of molecules below this velocity is greatly diminished by transverse divergence from the beam. The observed slowing, from similar to 140 m/s, corresponds to scattering >= 10(4) photons. We also observe longitudinal velocity compression under different conditions. Combined with molecular laser cooling techniques, this lays the groundwork to create slow and cold molecular beams suitable for trap loading.